Name: Classic Homemade Meat Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large yellow onion, diced; 2 lbs ground beef; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 1 green bell pepper, finely diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; ¾ cup dry red wine (or beef broth + 1 tbsp red wine vinegar); 6 oz tomato paste; 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce; 2 teaspoons hot sauce (optional); 2 tablespoons sugar; 28 oz crushed tomatoes; 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, undrained; 8 oz tomato sauce; 2 bay leaves; 2 teaspoons dried parsley; 2 teaspoons dried basil; 2 teaspoons mustard powder; 1½ teaspoons dried oregano; 2 teaspoons salt; 2 pinches red pepper flakes

Description

This rich and savory classic homemade meat sauce is a comforting, beginner-friendly dinner staple packed with Italian flavor. Perfect for pasta, lasagna, or meal prep, this quick and healthy meal is ideal for busy weeknights and freezes beautifully.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 lbs ground beef
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 green bell pepper, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
¾ cup dry red wine (or beef broth + 1 tbsp red wine vinegar)
6 oz tomato paste
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons hot sauce (optional)
2 tablespoons sugar
28 oz crushed tomatoes
14.5 oz diced tomatoes, undrained
8 oz tomato sauce
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons mustard powder
1½ teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons salt
2 pinches red pepper flakes

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Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions and cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent.
Brown the Beef: Increase the heat to medium-high. Season the ground beef with salt and pepper, then add it to the pot. Cook and crumble the beef for about 5 minutes until browned.
Add the Peppers and Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and green bell pepper. Cook for another 3 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant and the peppers begin to soften.
Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the red wine (or broth mixture) and stir to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for 5–6 minutes until most of the liquid reduces and the alcohol smell disappears.
Build the Base Flavor: Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, sugar, and all the dried herbs and seasonings. Stir well to coat the beef mixture evenly with all the flavorings.
Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Add the bay leaves. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer partially covered for at least 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken and deepen in flavor.
Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaves, taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with your favorite pasta, or use it as a base for lasagna or baked ziti.

Notes

For extra creaminess, stir in up to 4 oz of softened cream cheese or ¾ cup heavy cream near the end of cooking. You can sauté mushrooms separately and add them for more umami flavor. To make a vegetarian version, use a plant-based ground meat and veggie broth instead of beef products. This sauce is perfect for batch cooking—double the recipe and freeze half for easy future meals.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 250
Sugar: 11g
Sodium: 970mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 24g
Cholesterol: 59mg